There seems to be some arbitrary rule that a gas meter can't be at the
rear of a property or further than 2m from the front.

Why?

Our electricity meter is at the rear of the bungalow. We need to move
the damned gas meter, which is on the side wall, when the extension is
built. Why can't I put it round the back where the kitchen, etc, is and
near to where all the gas appliances are?

Michael

Yep, I read that too when I was enquiring about having gas installed.
I wanted the meter at the back of the property. I filled in the forms
and marked the route on the plan so the supply enterred the house at
the rear of the house. As it happens the surveyor who came out agreed
that it was the best place to put it so it wasnt a problem for us.
That said though, in our case the most direct route from the existing
mains was to the rear of the property.

wrote:
Yep, I read that too when I was enquiring about having gas installed.
I wanted the meter at the back of the property. I filled in the forms
and marked the route on the plan so the supply enterred the house at
the rear of the house. As it happens the surveyor who came out agreed
that it was the best place to put it so it wasnt a problem for us.
That said though, in our case the most direct route from the existing
mains was to the rear of the property.


From National Grid, an email reply which clearly states that they
*cannot* do this by regulation. However, it does not say "unless the
existing mains are to the rear of the property" which it would have to
say in order to justify what you write above.


Good Afternoon Mr Kilpatrick,

Due to regulations National Grid are not able to place any new meter
positions towards, or at the rear of the property due to easy access,
and the laying of the pipe work itself

Additionally National Grid offers no discount for pre-dug trench work;
this work is inclusive to the cost as agreed with by our watchdog Ofgem.

I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Regards

Matthew Musselwhite
East Of England Enquiries/ Call Agent
Financial Services-Shared Services: Order To Cash

On Mar 25, 6:04*pm, Michael Kilpatrick
wrote:
wrote:
Yep, I read that too when I was enquiring about having gas installed.
I wanted the meter at the back of the property. *I filled in the forms
and marked the route on the plan so the supply enterred the house at
the rear of the house. *As it happens the surveyor who came out agreed
that it was the best place to put it so it wasnt a problem for us.
That said though, in our case the most direct route from the existing
mains was to the rear of the property.

*From National Grid, an email reply which clearly states that they
*cannot* do this by regulation. However, it does not say "unless the
existing mains are to the rear of the property" which it would have to
say in order to justify what you write above.

Good Afternoon Mr Kilpatrick,

Due to regulations National Grid are not able to place any new meter
positions towards, or at the rear of the property due to easy access,
and the laying of the pipe work itself

Additionally National Grid offers no discount for pre-dug trench work;
this work is inclusive to the cost as agreed with by our watchdog Ofgem.

I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Regards

Matthew Musselwhite
East Of England Enquiries/ Call Agent
Financial Services-Shared Services: Order To Cash


I've just had a quick look on the national grid website, the process
has changed in the few months since I applied for my new connection.
There was no option at that time to fill in the application online, it
was all done by post. And there was most definitely a discount at
that time for pre-digging the trench myself. In my case I had almost
40Metres to dig and the cost was considerably cheaper doing it
myself. The other factor is that my house is detached and it would
make no difference to the meter reader whether the meter was at the
front or the back, but it made installation much easier as we didn't
need to cross any drains etc.

None of this helps you of course, but what I will say is that at some
point a surveyor will have to come out to asses the work that needs
doing. At that time you'll get to speak to somebody who hopefully can
use a bit of common sense to decide whether what you want is practical/
allowable or not.

I've just had a quick look on the national grid website, the process
has changed in the few months since I applied for my new connection.
There was no option at that time to fill in the application online, it
was all done by post. And there was most definitely a discount at
that time for pre-digging the trench myself. In my case I had almost
40Metres to dig and the cost was considerably cheaper doing it
myself. The other factor is that my house is detached and it would
make no difference to the meter reader whether the meter was at the
front or the back, but it made installation much easier as we didn't
need to cross any drains etc.

None of this helps you of course, but what I will say is that at some
point a surveyor will have to come out to asses the work that needs
doing. At that time you'll get to speak to somebody who hopefully can
use a bit of common sense to decide whether what you want is practical/
allowable or not.

I've just had a quick look on the national grid website, the process
has changed in the few months since I applied for my new connection.
There was no option at that time to fill in the application online, it
was all done by post. And there was most definitely a discount at
that time for pre-digging the trench myself. In my case I had almost
40Metres to dig and the cost was considerably cheaper doing it
myself. The other factor is that my house is detached and it would
make no difference to the meter reader whether the meter was at the
front or the back, but it made installation much easier as we didn't
need to cross any drains etc.

None of this helps you of course, but what I will say is that at some
point a surveyor will have to come out to asses the work that needs
doing. At that time you'll get to speak to somebody who hopefully can
use a bit of common sense to decide whether what you want is practical/
allowable or not.


A new supply is treated much differently to an alteration.
Yes you get a considerable discount by providing a pre-excavated trench over
the private part.
Alterations are discouraged by the pricing policy as they don't add to the
profit line

The reason goes something like this:-
The gas transporter, National Grid has its profits capped at 7.5% of its
asset value.
Its assets are mains and services. A new service (supply) adds to the asset
value.
An alteration does not add to the asset value.


mark

Michael Kilpatrick wrote:
There seems to be some arbitrary rule that a gas meter can't be at the
rear of a property or further than 2m from the front.

Why?

Presumably to make it straightforward for the meter reader to locate -
when they arrive at the property they can see it readily from the front
- the whole point is to avoid them having to knock on the door asking to
read it.

There would also be a risk of the meter ending up invisible and
inaccessible behind a locked gate.

David

Presumably to make it straightforward for the meter reader to locate -
when they arrive at the property they can see it readily from the front
- the whole point is to avoid them having to knock on the door asking to
read it.

And yet in my case, they readily agreed to locating the meter inside
the house close to where the electric meter is already fitted.
Have they actually refused to put it where you want? If not then I'd
suggest you just fill in the forms to indicate where you want the
meter fitted and then discuss it with the surveyor when he inspects
the site.

wrote:
Presumably to make it straightforward for the meter reader to locate -
when they arrive at the property they can see it readily from the front
- the whole point is to avoid them having to knock on the door asking to
read it.


And yet in my case, they readily agreed to locating the meter inside
the house close to where the electric meter is already fitted.
Have they actually refused to put it where you want? If not then I'd
suggest you just fill in the forms to indicate where you want the
meter fitted and then discuss it with the surveyor when he inspects
the site.


I've looked at the on-line system for applying for an alteration, and it
seems to be based on the idea that you submt payment details, therefore
"accepting the quotation" and only then do you get any contact from
them.. If you fill in the on-line forms and get the quotation figure but
don't submti payment details, I can't see anything that suggests that
National Grid will actually do anything other than save the quote for
further reference (valid for 45 days).

It's all a bit crappy. I just want to talk to a human and get someone
round to tell me what can and can't be done!

Michael

Michael Kilpatrick wrote:

I've looked at the on-line system for applying for an alteration, and it
seems to be based on the idea that you submt payment details, therefore
"accepting the quotation" and only then do you get any contact from
them.. If you fill in the on-line forms and get the quotation figure but
don't submti payment details, I can't see anything that suggests that
National Grid will actually do anything other than save the quote for
further reference (valid for 45 days).

It's all a bit crappy. I just want to talk to a human and get someone
round to tell me what can and can't be done!

Phone National Grid on 0870 903 9999 and ask them to send an application
form because you need a site survey. You might have to tell them that you
don't have internet access.

They should send you a form and a copy of their step by step guide. Page 4
of the guide explains 2 different procedures depending on whether you want
to do your own costing yourself or have a survey done. If you need a survey
they describe the following steps:

"1) If you can?t do your own costing, fill out the application
form (excluding Section 12) and return to us
2) We decide what else we need to know
3) We either contact you, send a quote or arrange a site survey
4) We provide a quote and you return the signed acceptance form
5) We contact you with a date for the work
6) We do the work"

BTW if a householder is requesting a meter to be moved either to meet the
needs of a disabled person, or so that someone who is chronically sick or
of pensionable age can operate the main shut-off valve and/or read the
meter then they may qualify to have the work done without charge.

--
Mike Clarke

On Mar 25, 3:37*pm, Lobster wrote:
Michael Kilpatrick wrote:
There seems to be some arbitrary rule that a gas meter can't be at the
rear of a property or further than 2m from the front.

Why?

Presumably to make it straightforward for the meter reader to locate -
when they arrive at the property they can see it readily from the front
- the whole point is to avoid them having to knock on the door asking to
read it.

There would also be a risk of the meter ending up invisible and
inaccessible behind a locked gate.

Ours is behind two locked doors. What risk does that pose? I do have
the brains to check and correct, if neccessary, any estimated
readings.

MBQ

"Michael Kilpatrick" wrote in message
...
There seems to be some arbitrary rule that a gas meter can't be at the
rear of a property or further than 2m from the front.

Why?

Our electricity meter is at the rear of the bungalow. We need to move the
damned gas meter, which is on the side wall, when the extension is built.
Why can't I put it round the back where the kitchen, etc, is and near to
where all the gas appliances are?

Michael

The rule was, if possible, not to have the service pipe entering more than
2m into a property from the point of entry. Service pipe being the pipe
connecting gas main to meter.
The other rule was to keep the service pipe as short as possible.
The logic being that a shorter pipe has less risk of damage and subequent
release of uncontrolled gas, than a longer one.

I'm not sure if this is merely a 'Code of Practice'. A rake through 'The
Gas Act' will provide a definitive answer.
Here's a start on meters:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1996/Uksi_19960450_en_2.htm

I haven't read it!
A gargle on: the gas act will throw up loads of links.


mark